Volume Three: Southern Expedition and Frontier Expansion Chapter 110: Strategist Li Zhang

After entering the city gate, Li Zhang disembarked and followed the guide with ten guards. Along the way, Li Zhang inquired and learned that the military commissioner often patrolled the outer city. To his surprise, the guide did not know that the military commissioner was none other than the Governor of Qianzhong.

Wei Fufeng stood by a city gate on the western side of the outer city. The gate lacked a tower; instead, numerous large military tents were erected for troop accommodation—a practice mirrored at every city gate to station more patrol soldiers.

Li Zhang ascended the rampart along the horse path and was led directly into a large tent. The warmth inside greeted him like a wave, with a roaring stove and many bamboo chairs and beds arranged. Numerous soldiers rested on the bamboo beds, except for a young man clad in fine scale armor seated by the stove on a bamboo chair.

Li Zhang hurried over, respectfully bowed, and said, “Humble Li Zhang pays respects to the military commissioner.”

Wei Fufeng smiled gently. “No need for such formality, please sit.”

Li Zhang acknowledged respectfully and took a seat diagonally across on a bamboo chair. Wei Fufeng observed Li Zhang—a refined appearance, in his thirties, dressed plainly in a simple cloth robe, exuding modesty and restraint.

“I have heard that in Jingnan there is Zhou Yin, and in Wuzhen there is Li Zhang—both renowned strategists,” Wei Fufeng said kindly.

Li Zhang was momentarily startled but replied humbly, “I am ashamed. Though from the same hometown as Zhou Yin, I feel myself quite desolate.”

Wei Fufeng responded calmly, “Many possess talents comparable to Zhuge Wuhou, but few are as renowned. One’s talent requires opportunities to become well-known. If you have the chance to showcase your skills, Zhou Yin might feel ashamed.”

Li Zhang’s face twitched slightly but he straightened himself and said earnestly, “Li Zhang is willing to serve Your Excellency; please grant me the opportunity.”

Wei Fufeng nodded with a smile. “Wang Wentao recommended you. I will give you the chance as Chief Historian of Yanzhou, concurrently serving as the secretary under the Metropolitan Defense Commander Gan Fengchi. The position of Prefect of Yanzhou is vacant.”

Li Zhang was momentarily taken aback but rose respectfully. “I thank Your Excellency for this great trust.”

Wei Fufeng waved him to sit again and continued, “I have assigned Gan Fengchi to garrison Langzhou and Yanzhou. You must assist him earnestly and promptly alert me if anything is amiss.”

Li Zhang nodded. “Your Excellency can rest assured; I will dedicate myself fully.”

Wei Fufeng added, “Military governance in southern Sichuan differs from other regions. Locally, there are two powers: the agricultural military and the civil officials. You must cooperate harmoniously with the agricultural military headquarters. If there is any discontent, you can report upward.”

Li Zhang acknowledged, “Understood.”

Wei Fufeng went on, “Your authority might not rival that of other prefects, but you will serve safely and have the freedom to demonstrate your administrative talents. The establishment of the military headquarters was out of concern that subordinates might become too powerful, especially as the territory expands, making the military headquarters system increasingly essential.”

Li Zhang nodded. “I understand. The military headquarters system prevents suspicion between superiors and subordinates. For a century, rebellions by sub-commanders or executions of meritorious subjects by military governors have frequently occurred.”

Wei Fufeng said peacefully, “My current power is the result of fighting alongside my soldiers. I hope to share prosperity with them long-term. Though I limit my generals’ authority, I grant my descendants wealth for generations. Your secretary position is a military post with inheritable command rank.”

Li Zhang replied earnestly, “I thank Your Excellency for your trust.”

Wei Fufeng then asked, “Chief Historian Li, please elaborate on the external threats to Langzhou.”

Li Zhang answered, “The threats include the Liao people, Jingnan army, E’yue army, Wuan army, and the Zhen’nan army from Jiangxi.”

Wei Fufeng nodded. Li Zhang continued, “Since Your Excellency occupies Yanzhou and Langzhou, I believe the Jingnan army may seek to ally with the E’yue and Zhen’nan armies. It is said that Zhong Chuan, the military commissioner of Zhen’nan stationed in Hongzhou (Nanchang, Jiangxi), commands a force of 100,000.”

Wei Fufeng nodded again. Li Zhang added, “The Wuan military governor Zhou Yue, neighboring Langzhou, commands fewer than 20,000 troops. His base in Tanzhou (Changsha) is unstable, and he is hostile with Shaozhou’s prefect, so he dares not provoke external enemies.”

Wei Fufeng nodded and said, “I will not keep you. You shall depart immediately and first report to the Yuzhou governor’s office before returning to take up your post in Yanzhou.”

Li Zhang rose respectfully. “I take my leave.”

Wei Fufeng gave a light nod, watching Li Zhang leave. He sent Li Zhang to Yuzhou to give him a sense of the grand power of southern Sichuan’s governance and to instill a sense of awe.

After Li Zhang’s departure, Wei Fufeng contemplated carefully. Langzhou’s defenses were inadequate—mainly due to a lack of military supplies and an unsettled populace.

While Badong could receive timely reinforcements from southern Sichuan forces, Langzhou was isolated.

Wang Wentao’s battle report mentioned the defensive works along the Yuan River encircling the city, which Wei Fufeng found unsuitable.

Firstly, such projects require time and much labor; secondly, they hinder local governance and development by making access inconvenient—no long-term solution.

Wei Fufeng had previously planned to advance into Tanzhou in Hunan, a region historically renowned for its culture and prosperity, featuring a broad fortress city of Changsha, akin to Chengdu in western Sichuan, suitable as a foothold.

However, circumstances changed unexpectedly, and southern Sichuan forces seized Langzhou and Yanzhou first, securing a base for future Tanzhou campaigns.

Yet Langzhou and Yanzhou were surrounded by enemies on all sides—the south guarded by Zhou Yue of Wuan (Changsha Prefecture), the north by Jingnan’s Cheng Rui, the west by the Liao people.

To the east lay the vast 800-li Dongting Lake. The E’yue army under Du Hong could launch waterborne attacks, and beyond that, the Zhen’nan army under Zhong Chuan, with 100,000 troops, watched hungrily.

After much deliberation, Wei Fufeng dared not send reinforcements or allocate weapons to Langzhou. His heart remained focused on southern Sichuan.

Sending reinforcements to Langzhou would weaken the defenses of southern Sichuan, Badong, and Jinzhou, and Langzhou forces could not promptly support Badong or Jinzhou.

...

At the Daming Palace, inside the Yan Ying Hall, Emperor Zhaozong met with his chancellors to discuss affairs.

First, they decided to change the era name of the Great Shun dynasty to Jingfu, as the Great Shun era had lasted only two years.

Second, Zhu Quanzhong of the Xuanwu army, skilled in warfare, had captured Mengzhou; the military governor of Heyang, Zhao Keyu, retreated to Luoyang.

The Xuanwu army’s rampant territorial expansion deeply worried the court, which after deliberation found no means to restrain them.

Third, a messenger arrived from Langzhou reporting that the Wuzhen military governor was killed in battle at the Yun’an salt wells.

His subordinate Gan Fengchi petitioned the court for appointment as prefect of Langzhou and defense commander of Wuling, offering tribute.

Emperor Zhaozong found this request odd and asked, “Langzhou and Yanzhou have established Wuzhen military governorships; why does Gan Fengchi seek a lower rank as defense commander?”

Chancellor Cui Shaowei replied, “Langzhou’s seat is Wuling County. Perhaps he cannot control Yanzhou or believes a lower rank makes it easier to obtain court appointment.”

The emperor nodded. He paid little attention to the southwestern lands beyond the Yangtze, which had slipped beyond court control. The court felt compelled to accept such rebellious petitions to avoid territorial fragmentation. A refusal might provoke separatist states.

Fourth, the Chengde military governor Wang Rong and Youzhou’s Li Kuangwei combined forces of 100,000, continuing battles with the Hedong army in Yunzhou and Daizhou during the first month. After discussion, envoys were sent to summon peace.

...

Wei Fufeng arrived in Chang’an with his mother and Mingyu. Before arriving, he ordered the 2,000 Fufeng troops stationed at Anye County to enter Chang’an in batches before the new year.

Outside southern Sichuan, the Fufeng army numbered 5,000—1,000 permanently stationed at Qinglongfang and guarding Quchi, mainly spear infantry; 2,000 held at Anye County, ready for deployment; 2,000 guarded the inner city gates of Jinzhou. The southern Sichuan forces formerly in Junzhou and Fangzhou had withdrawn.

Of the 5,000 Fufeng troops, 3,000 were elite, stationed at Qinglongfang; the 1,000 at Qinglongfang were the weakest. Wei Fufeng’s move to Chang’an necessitated troop redeployments for security.

...

Upon arriving in Chang’an, Wei Fufeng first rested at Anyi Fang, where the Wei clan resided.

Early the next morning, he went to visit Li Qin’s residence in Xinchang Fang, arriving before noon.

Before Wei Fufeng’s arrival, 300 elite Fufeng soldiers had secretly infiltrated and disguised themselves as civilians scattered around Xinchang Fang’s outskirts.

At Li Qin’s residence, previously notified, Wei Fufeng arrived outside the gate with ten guards.

The gate servants respectfully admitted them. Outside the main hall stood Li Xian and Li Ji.

Wei Fufeng wore a round-collared, deep blue robe and a turban, exuding the demeanor of a scholar.

He stepped forward to the main hall, bowed respectfully, and said, “A junior pays respects to my second uncle and father-in-law.”

“Welcome, Fufeng. Please come inside and speak,” Li Xian, as elder, smiled in response, politely using an invitation.

The three entered the main hall. Wei Fufeng’s guards stayed outside. Upon seating, maids served tea, and conversation turned to family and state affairs.

Wei Fufeng had not revealed the recent capture of Lizhou and Langzhou. He was surprised that Li Qin had gone to the office rather than wait at home for his visit.

After half an hour of discussion, Wei Fufeng and Li Ji went to the west courtyard.

Entering the hall, Wei Fufeng saw his mother-in-law, the ninth and fourteenth daughters, two younger brothers-in-law, and four servants.

He respectfully greeted his mother-in-law and noticed her cold expression. The ninth daughter stood quietly nearby, not sneaking glances at Wei Fufeng.

The fourteenth daughter stood obediently with lowered head. The two younger brothers-in-law curiously watched Wei Fufeng; one was twelve, the other ten.

After the greetings, Li Ji had his two sons bow to Wei Fufeng. The brothers-in-law respectfully saluted and addressed him as brother-in-law.

Wei Fufeng knew both brothers-in-law were the sons of Li Ji’s wife and studied at the academy.

He smiled and nodded in response to their greetings. Then Li Ji asked the fourteenth daughter to accompany Wei Fufeng to rest.

The fourteenth daughter left the hall with Wei Fufeng and went to her former quarters. Upon entering, she sighed with relief, gently placing a small hand on her chest.

“Fourteenth daughter, your mother’s expression was displeased. What happened?” Wei Fufeng asked gently.

“I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have said that Sister Qingxue is the lady of the house. Mother became very angry upon hearing that,” the girl whispered anxiously.

Wei Fufeng softly said, “Ah, now I understand why your mother had a stern face. She is upset about my ‘imprudence.’”

Such anger was understandable—official families valued status and decorum above all, with rigid hierarchies.

Wei Fufeng, as a concubine-born son, held a status in the family akin to that of a servant compared to his elder brother’s legitimate birth. His restless departure to seek success stemmed from a deep desire to change his humble standing by earning a noble title.

Li Ji’s wife was of royal lineage and naturally more concerned with etiquette and rank, which formed the foundation of her esteemed identity.